Water Conservation

While there are many watersheds within Wasco County, they are contained within larger watershed areas. In South County, there are the Bakeoven and Buck Hollow Watersheds to the east and the White River Watershed to the west. Central and Northern Wasco County are the Fifteenmile, The Dalles Area, and Mosier. These five watersheds are also served by their own watershed council. Bakeoven and Buck Hollow were merged and are covered by one council.

Wasco County

Soil and Water Conservation DistrictTraditionally, the District worked one on one with the landowners throughout the county. However, with the assistance of the watershed councils, larger issues impacting the whole of the watershed are more easily identified, and projects are implemented at the council's behest to address those issues. The District also works closely with NRCS partners on resource issues identified in Conservation Implementation Strategy areas (CIS).

Singular landowners are also encouraged to discuss resource restoration opportunities with District planners. Such as restoring degraded rangeland, off-stream water developments, erosion, wildlife habitat, ag technologies that reduce chemical inputs, weed control, and irrigation efficiency.